Patent US3968329A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3968329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Telephone answering apparatus
Assignee: VIRSONIC Corp A CORP OF CA
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Filing: 1975-02-10
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Granted: 1976-07-06
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Expires: 1995-02-10
Abstract
Abstract Telephone answering apparatus is provided which is simple in its construction as compared with the usual prior art apparatus, but which is capable of performing all of the operations performed by the more complex prior art apparatus, and also of performing operations beyond the capabilities of the usual prior art apparatus. The apparatus of the invention utilizes a cassette-type tape unit on which announcement messages may be recorded, for transmission to a calling party during an initial time interval (T 1 ). The apparatus also includes a cassette-type tape unit to record the messages from the calling party during a subsequent message recording interval (T 2 ). In the apparatus, a single irreversible drive motor is used for both the announcement and message tape units, and a simple mechanical drive is provided for the message tape unit for driving the message tape unit in one direction during a fast forward operation, and for driving the message tape unit in the opposite direction during a rewind operation, without the need for reversing the direction of rotation of the drive motor.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Darwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:01
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/06; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A telephone answering apparatus including in combination: means mounted in said apparatus for receiving a removable magnetic announcement tape unit; first capstan drive means mounted in said apparatus on one side of the path of the tape in said removable tape unit for driving the tape; a first pinch roller assembly mounted in said apparatus on the opposite side of the path of said tape; first solenoid means mechanically coupled to said first pinch roller assembly for selectively causing the first pinch roller assembly to be drawn against the tape to move the tape into driving engagement with the first capstan drive means; means mounted in said apparatus for receiving a removable cassette-type magnetic message tape unit; a second capstan drive means mounted in said apparatus on one side of the path of the tape in the message tape unit for driving the message tape; a second pinch roller assembly mounted in said apparatus on the opposite side of the path of the tape in said message tape unit; second solenoid means mechanically coupled to said second pinch roller assembly for selectively moving said second pinch roller assembly toward the second capstan drive means to move the tape in said message tape unit into driving engagement with the capstan drive means; a drive motor mounted in the apparatus and mechanically coupled to the first and second capstan drive means; first and second spindle means mounted in the apparatus for receiving the cassette-type message tape unit; mechanical coupling means for selectively coupling the drive motor to the first and second spindle means to drive the tape in the message tape unit selectively in a forward and in a rewind direction; and third solenoid means connected to said coupling means for changing the coupling of the drive motor from one of the spindle means to the other whenever the third solenoid means is energized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A telephone answering apparatus including in combination: means mounted in said apparatus for receiving a removable magnetic announcement tape unit; first capstan drive means mounted in said apparatus on one side of the path of the tape in said removable tape unit for driving the tape; a first pinch roller assembly mounted in said apparatus on the opposite side of the path of said tape; first solenoid means mechanically coupled to said first pinch roller assembly for selectively causing the first pinch roller assembly to be drawn against the tape to move the tape into driving engagement with the first capstan drive means; means mounted in said apparatus for receiving a removable cassette-type magnetic message tape unit; a second capstan drive means mounted in said apparatus on one side of the path of the tape in the message tape unit for driving the message tape; a second pinch roller assembly mounted in said apparatus on the opposite side of the path of the tape in said message tape unit; second solenoid means mechanically coupled to said second pinch roller assembly for selectively moving said second pinch roller assembly toward the second capstan drive means to move the tape in said message tape unit into driving engagement with the capstan drive means; a drive motor mounted in the apparatus and mechanically coupled to the first and second capstan drive means; first and second spindle means mounted in the apparatus for receiving the cassette-type message tape unit; mechanical coupling means for selectively coupling the drive motor to the first and second spindle means to drive the tape in the message tape unit selectively in a forward and in a rewind direction; and third solenoid means connected to said coupling means for changing the coupling of the drive motor from one of the spindle means to the other whenever the third solenoid means is energized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 1, and which includes a plate slidably mounted in said apparatus between a first position and a second position for supporting said second pinch roller assembly, and which includes electromagnetic transducer means mounted on said plate, said second solenoid means being mechanically coupled to said plate for selectively moving said plate from its first position to its second position to move said second pinch roller assembly and said electromagnetic transducer means into operating relationship with respect to the tape in said message tape unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 2, and which includes resilient means coupling said second solenoid means to said plate to permit said plate to be pulled back to its first position, and the pinch roller assembly and electromagnetic transducer means to be pulled back from the tape in said message tape unit, while the second solenoid means is energized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 3, and which includes a second plate slidably mounted in the apparatus adjacent said message tape unit and movable between a first and a second position; magnetic erase means mounted on the second plate; resilient means for normally biasing the magnetic erase means to its first position away from the tape in said message tape unit; and lever means coupled to the second plate for manually moving the second plate from its first position to its second position against the force of the resilient means to bring the erase means into operating relationship with the tape in said message tape unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 4, in which the erase means comprises a permanent magnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 4, and which includes means mounted on at least one of the first and second plates for causing the first plate to hold the second plate in its second position upon prior movement of the second plate to its second position, and for causing the first plate to prevent movement of the second plate upon prior movement of the first plate to its second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
The telephone answering apparatus defined in claim 1, in which said mechanical coupling means includes an arm pivotally mounted in said apparatus, first and second drive wheels rotatably mounted in said arm in driving engagement with one another; means coupling one of said drive wheels to said drive motor; amd means connecting said third solenoid means to said arm to move the arm angularly in one direction and cause one of the drive wheels to engage said first spindle means when said third solenoid means is de-energized, and to move the arm angularly in the other direction and cause the other of said drive wheels to engage the second spindle means when the third solenoid is energized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
In combination: apparatus for receiving a removable cassette-type magnetic tape unit including first and second spindle means for driving the magnetic tape in the unit from one reel to another; a drive motor; mechanical coupling means for selectively coupling the drive motor to the first and second spindle means to drive the tape in the unit selectively in a forward and in a rewind direction; and solenoid means connected to said coupling means for changing the coupling of the drive motor from one of the spindle means to the other whenever the third solenoid means is energized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
In combination: apparatus for receiving a removable cassette-type magnetic tape unit including first and second spindle means for driving the magnetic tape in the unit from one reel to another; a drive motor; mechanical coupling means for selectively coupling the drive motor to the first and second spindle means to drive the tape in the unit selectively in a forward and in a rewind direction; and solenoid means connected to said coupling means for changing the coupling of the drive motor from one of the spindle means to the other whenever the third solenoid means is energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination defined in claim 8, in which said mechanical coupling means includes a pivotally mounted arm; first and second drive wheels rotatably mounted on said arm in driving engagment with one another; means coupling one of said drive wheels to said drive motor; and means connecting said solenoid means to said arm to move the arm angularly in one direction and cause one of the drive wheels to engage said first spindle means when said solenoid is de-energized, and to move the arm angularly in the other direction and cause the other of said drive wheels to engage the second spindle means when said solenoid means is energized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-06 | 1980-01-05 | 1980-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-06 | 1984-01-05 | 1984-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-06 | 1988-01-05 | 1988-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |